Kabale district leaders and locals have joined hands to condemn politicians who are sabotaging football games aimed at talent identification.
The issue started three weeks ago when locals accused the minister of ordering police and UPDF to stop his opponent’s football tournament in Kabale. Since then, authorities in Kabale district have warned politicians against sabotaging football games aimed at talent identification.
The leaders, led by the Kabale district LC5 chairperson Nelson Nshangabasheija, expressed concern about anonymous politicians sabotaging sports events. Nshangabasheija emphasized that sports keep youth away from crime and urged a patriotic spirit to allow talents to flourish.
The Kabale district speaker, Flavia Nyinakiiza Kanagizi, echoed the same sentiments, seeking to know who was behind the sabotage. Nyinakiiza stressed that youth should be allowed to express their talents.
The situation escalated on May 26, 2024, when medals were stolen during the final day of the tournament. In response, Simon Agaba organized a new event to award medals to participants on June 23, 2024, at Katwaro playground in Ryakarimira Town Council.
However, the event was foiled by police and UPDF, leading to a heated argument between Agaba’s team and authorities.
Patrick Twesigye, the Nyakitokoro cell chairperson, declared the event unlawful, sparking chaos. Locals accused Twesigye of receiving UGX 300,000 from Minister David Bahati to spark chaos.
Sadam Babwekyeka and Clement Tukundane, locals, blamed the entire fracas on Twesigye, whom they accused of sparking the chaos after receiving the bribe from Minister Bahati.
However, on the same day, during a thanksgiving function held at Kahugye Catholic Center in Kahugye sub-county, the State Minister for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, David Bahati, challenged the Kabale District RDC, Godfrey Nyakahuma, to take action against those engaging in early campaigns.
This came after thousands of people, including boda boda riders, welcomed the Ndorwa West parliamentary hopeful, Eliab Naturinda Mporera.
Bahati stated that anyone intending to run for office should convene meetings at their own home, rather than organizing public processions.
He further vowed to personally intervene if the RDC fails to take action.
